The short answer
Installing a single 6ft (1.8m) fence panel in the UK typically costs around £80 to £180 supplied and fitted, depending on the panel type and whether a new post and gravel board are needed. Supply-only the panel itself is usually £25 to £70 for overlap or closeboard, with composite panels costing considerably more. The fitted price adds a post (£15 to £45), postcrete, a gravel board, fixings and a share of the labour day rate. A one-off single panel almost always costs more per panel than a full run, because the fitter still has a minimum call-out and travel to cover.
A 6ft panel is the standard UK garden fence height, and the price you see quoted depends heavily on whether it is supply-only or fully fitted, and what type of panel and post are involved.
6ft fence panel cost
- Panel supplied + fitted~£80–£180
- Overlap panel (supply only)~£25–£40
- Closeboard panel (supply only)~£40–£70
- Composite panel (supply only)~£90–£200+
- Timber/concrete post (each)~£15–£45
Supply-only versus supplied and fitted
The first thing to pin down is whether a quoted figure is for the panel alone or for the panel installed. The two are very different:
- Supply-only: just the panel from a merchant or DIY store. An overlap panel is the lowest-cost; closeboard, tongue-and-groove and composite rise from there.
- Supplied and fitted: the panel plus the post, gravel board, postcrete, fixings and the labour to remove the old panel and set the new one.
A 6ft panel is 1.83m wide and 1.8m high in standard sizing, and the panel itself is often the smaller part of the fitted cost once a new concreted post is involved. If you are only swapping a broken panel into existing sound posts, the fitted cost is much lower because there is no groundwork.
Cost by panel type
Panel choice is the biggest variable in the supply cost. Indicative supplied-and-fitted figures for a single 6ft panel:
| Panel type | Fitted (single panel) | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap / waney lap | ~£80–£120 | Lowest-cost, lighter, shorter life |
| Closeboard / featheredge | ~£110–£160 | Sturdier, longer-lasting |
| Tongue-and-groove | ~£120–£170 | Solid and private, heavier |
| Composite | ~£250–£400+ | Highest cost, very low maintenance |
Indicative figures for guidance only; single-panel jobs carry a higher per-panel cost than a full run.
Posts, gravel boards and the groundwork
If the panel slots into an existing sound post, the job is quick. If a new post is needed, the cost and time climb because of the groundwork:
- Concrete posts cost more (around £25 to £45 each) but resist rot and outlast timber, so the next panel swap is easier.
- Timber posts are lower-cost up front but rot at the base over time and may need replacing before the panels do.
- Gravel boards sit under the panel to keep it off wet ground; a concrete gravel board protects the panel bottom from rot.
- Postcrete sets the post fast, but it has to cure, and digging out an old concreted post first is heavy work.
The honest comparison is a quote that lists the post material, whether a gravel board is included, and whether the price covers removing and disposing of the old panel and post.
What else affects a 6ft panel's installed price
Beyond the panel and post, several site-specific factors nudge the fitted price up or down, and they explain why two quotes for the same panel can differ:
- Access: if the panel, post and spoil have to be carried through the house or down a narrow side return, the labour rises because everything takes longer to move.
- Ground conditions: clay, stony soil, tree roots or an old concreted footing to break out all add digging time when a new post is needed.
- Height and exposure: a taller or wind-exposed panel needs a deeper, sturdier post footing, which uses more postcrete and labour.
- Gravel board choice: adding a concrete gravel board protects the panel base from rot but adds a per-bay cost; a timber board is lower-cost but has a shorter life.
- Disposal: removing and tipping the old panel and post is a real cost, particularly if there is concrete to break out and take away.
- Finish and treatment: some panels come pre-treated; others benefit from a coat of preservative once fitted, which is a small extra you can do yourself.
For a true single-panel job into existing sound posts with no disposal, expect the lower end of the fitted range. Add a new concreted post, awkward access and old-footing removal, and you move towards the upper end — because most of that extra is groundwork and labour rather than the panel itself.
When fitting a single panel is and isn't worth it
Replacing one 6ft panel is sensible after isolated storm damage or an accident, but there are situations where doing more at once is the better-value choice:
- Sound posts, one broken panel: a straightforward, lower-cost swap — worth doing on its own.
- Rotten post as well as panel: replacing both means groundwork, so the per-panel cost rises; if neighbouring posts are also failing, consider the run together.
- Several ageing panels: when one goes, the rest are often close behind. Doing them in one visit spreads the call-out and labour over more panels, lowering the per-panel rate.
- Mismatched look: a single new panel can stand out against weathered old ones for a season or two until it greys to match.
For a true single-panel job into existing posts, expect the lower end of the fitted range. For a panel plus a new concreted post, expect the upper end, because most of the cost is in the post and the labour to set it rather than the panel itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 6ft fence panel actually 6 feet?
A standard '6ft' panel is 1.8m high and 1.83m wide, which is the usual maximum height for a rear garden fence under permitted development. With a gravel board underneath, the overall height is a little more, so check your total height against any local height limits, especially next to a highway where 1m is the usual limit.
Can I fit a 6ft panel myself to save money?
If the posts are sound and you are confident handling and levelling a panel, a straightforward swap is achievable as a DIY job and saves the labour cost. Setting a new post in postcrete and getting it truly plumb is more demanding, and the panel must be braced while the concrete cures. Heavy composite panels in particular are awkward for one person.
Why is one panel so much more expensive than the per-panel price in a full quote?
Because a fitter still has a minimum charge, travel and setup time for a single visit, all spread over one panel instead of many. A full run shares those fixed costs across every panel, lowering the per-panel rate. Bundling several panels into one job is the most efficient way to bring the unit cost down.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific garden. They are guidance, not a quotation.